Debate over Lancashire's future
Women face being cut from local democracy and political activity if district councils are axed by the government and powers are handed to a few regional mayors under current devolution ideas, a Lancashire MP has warned.
Cat Smith MP has warned against any new structures which cut women from local politics. Evidence suggests the existing district council system enables a more equal gender balance in democratic life, she said. In contrast, evidence about mayors and police and crime commissioners suggests women are absent.
Representing the people This week, Labour MP Cat Smith raised her concerns in a Lancashire Day speech at Westminster. She outlined Lancashire's history, stretching back to 1182, and big local government changes 50 years ago in 1974. Those included the creation of Merseyside and Greater Manchester, and a new administrative Lancashire with a two-tier county and district council system. Blackpool and Blackburn with Darwen became unitary authorities in 1996.
"Why does Lancashire have so much local government? Is it good or bad? There are pros-and-cons. Sometimes, people can get really confused about which council is responsible for which issue. But is the answer pushing a one-size-fits-all model of local government that works for England’s metropolitan areas onto a rural county like Lancashire?"
'Most mayors are men' She added: "It is hard to see how a rural county that goes from edge of Merseyside and Greater Manchester to the edges of the Lake District – from the Irish Sea to the Yorkshire border – can be truly represented by just one man. "It's clear that no political party has even stood a woman for police and crime commissioner. So this doesn’t bode well for a future mayor of Lancashire. In 2012, the four candidates were all men. In 2016, the four candidates were all men. In 2021, the four candidates were all men. In 2024, there were three candidates and all men.
Lancaster Lancaster City Council Morecambe Lancashire Lancashire County Council
United Kingdom Latest News, United Kingdom Headlines
Similar News:You can also read news stories similar to this one that we have collected from other news sources.
Lancashire Day: Celebrating the Rich Culture and Legacy of LancashireLancashire Day, observed annually on November 27, honors the culture, lifestyle, and achievements of Lancashire. The day commemorates the first time Lancashire sent representatives to parliament in 1925 and includes celebrations featuring town criers, culinary excellence, and the rich entertainment legacy.
Read more »
Council mulls urgent call for M65 safety review after spate of crashesIt will be the second East Lancashire council to debate the issue
Read more »
Coleen Nolan calls out Loose Women co-star for 'bad manners' live on air in debateColeen Nolan didn't hold back as she called out her Loose Women co-stars during Wednesday's episode of the ITV daytime show
Read more »
Trump’s Defense Pick Reignites Debate on Whether Women Should Be on the Front LinesPresident-elect Donald Trump’s nominee for defense secretary, Pete Hegseth, has reignited a debate that many thought had been long settled: Should women be allowed to serve their country by fighting on the front lines?
Read more »
Sydney Sweeney slams 'fake' Hollywood grandstanding on 'women empowering other women'She was scathing in a new interview about the 'successful' women in showbiz who 'bash and discredit' the 'younger' female 'talent' coming up behind them.
Read more »
Sydney Sweeney slams 'fake' Hollywood grandstanding on 'women empowering other women'She was scathing in a new interview about the 'successful' women in showbiz who 'bash and discredit' the 'younger' female 'talent' coming up behind them.
Read more »